Early season quilt?

[ChrisAU]

Looking for ways to cut pack weight and my 21.1 oz Hammock Gear 20* Quilt has my attention today. My only planned backcountry hunt this year is the 2nd week of September in CO. I sleep warm, I've taken that 20* below freezing with no issues. Thinking about a getting a 40* and then making the call of which one to take at the trailhead. Anyone do something similar?

 

[Crews]

I have a 40 degree down quilt from JacksRBetter. It's tiny and light. And price was very reasonable. I also sleep hot, plenty good under this quilt approaching the freezing mark with my merino base layers on.

Sounds like it may be a good option for you to consider as well.

 

[ChrisAU]

I have a 40 degree down quilt from JacksRBetter. It's tiny and light. And price was very reasonable. I also sleep hot, plenty good under this quilt approaching the freezing mark with my merino base layers on.

Sounds like it may be a good option for you to consider as well.

That is an interesting option for sure, never heard of them, thanks! Mind me asking your height/weight? I would generally default to a "wide" option but I see they only have one, assuming this one?

Big Meadows summer backpacking quilt

The Big Meadows(40F) summer backpacking quilt is comfort rated to 40ºF (5ºC) and features a wide half taper design. Wilightweight, low volume, and generous coverage make it the perfect summer backpacking quilt for thru-hikers, section hikers, and weekend getaways.

jacksrbetter.com

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Looking for ways to cut pack weight and my 21.1 oz Hammock Gear 20* Quilt has my attention today. My only planned backcountry hunt this year is the 2nd week of September in CO. I sleep warm, I've taken that 20* below freezing with no issues. Thinking about a getting a 40* and then making the call of which one to take at the trailhead. Anyone do something similar?

Literally having the same thought for early season/UL quilt. 40F down ones (EE for example) get under a lb, which is “good enough” in my mind.

Edit to say in my mind I’m using a puffy top to get me into colder weather with a temp rating that high.

 

[199p]

In to add im looking to do the same, i have an old EE thats gettng on in life, i also sleep in a down vest to save my back getting cold in the night, joys of injures and my current one is to hot and i end up throwing it off in the night.

 

[Mikido]

Yes, I slept in a 40deg EE with puffys on underneath, last September, down to 30 degs no problem. It weighed 14oz

 

[il_cop]

Katabatic gear flex 40. First and last quilt for early season I've ever needed.

 

[Shraggs]

My EE revelation is 20 degree down no over fill regular wide is 17 oz. Great in September. Np in 28 degrees in hammock base layers with under quilt.

 

[Crews]

That is an interesting option for sure, never heard of them, thanks! Mind me asking your height/weight? I would generally default to a "wide" option but I see they only have one, assuming this one?

Big Meadows summer backpacking quilt

The Big Meadows(40F) summer backpacking quilt is comfort rated to 40ºF (5ºC) and features a wide half taper design. Wilightweight, low volume, and generous coverage make it the perfect summer backpacking quilt for thru-hikers, section hikers, and weekend getaways.

jacksrbetter.com

Yes that's the one I have. I found out about JRB following discussions from the backpacking crowd. At the time it was on sale and the best deal I could find on a 40 degree 850fp summer quilt. I'm 5'9" 175 pounds and bought the "regular" size. It works fine for me. Granted, it isn't saving a lot of weight from your current 20oz, but it's a pretty good deal for the current sale price of $200. I do have the standard footbox with a cinch cord and kam snaps. That comes in handy because I use it in blanket mode like a puffy when I'm sitting around camp.

It replaced a 40 degree quilt with 3.6oz Apex insulation. I would say the temp performance is about the same for me (warm down to freezing sleeping w/ heavy merino base layer.) However, the down quilt is half the weight and takes up less than half the volume in my pack. I can do without the better moisture management properties of synthetic for fall trips.

 

[ChrisAU]

Yes that's the one I have. I found out about JRB following discussions from the backpacking crowd. At the time it was on sale and the best deal I could find on a 40 degree 850fp summer quilt. I'm 5'9" 175 pounds and bought the "regular" size. It works fine for me. Granted, it isn't saving a lot of weight from your current 20oz, but it's a pretty good deal for the current sale price of $200. I do have the standard footbox with a cinch cord and kam snaps. That comes in handy because I use it in blanket mode like a puffy when I'm sitting around camp.

It replaced a 40 degree quilt with 3.6oz Apex insulation. I would say the temp performance is about the same for me (warm down to freezing sleeping w/ heavy merino base layer.) However, the down quilt is half the weight and takes up less than half the volume in my pack. I can do without the better moisture management properties of synthetic for fall trips.

The 1000fp version claims to be 12 oz and is 1" wider and 4" longer than my 20* reg/wide Hammock Gear Burrow quilt. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to grab one of those, thanks for the info, I had never heard of them.

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve been using an EE convert synthetic 30° bag for several years now. In 2025 I used it on a September bear/elk hunt and an October elk hunt. I used a hammock as well and slept good. I have a pair of puffy pants and jackets with me just in case, but so far they haven’t been needed.

 

[Stache Attack]

Yep 15 degree bag or 30 degree quilt for me. I went with the outdoor vitals as it has the cubby for your feet and I am coming to enjoy that as my feet get cold some nights.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I made my own a few years ago
It is around 40 degree rating and weighs under a pound in stuff sack
Works great into mid 30's
Synthetic insulation

 

[mtwarden]

I like having a warmer weather synthetic quilt (I have both a 40° and 50°)—if the weather allows for it, I'll grab one of those to use on it's own.

They also allow me to use of them in conjunction w/ one of my down bags adding roughly 20 and 30° respectively to the sleep system. Synthetic over down on longer hunts also keeps moisture out of the down bag preserving loft (not usually an issue on shorter hunts).

In addition, both of my syn quilts have "poncho" holes that allows me to use them for an extra layer when glassing. I'll bring one or the other on all of my day hunts.

Very versatile piece of gear.

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/quilts/

 

[Hussar]

I have a 20 degree Hammock Gear quilt with the sewn footbox. Last year, I added a 40 degree quilt from them with the zippered footbox. I had the 40 degree quilt on my September elk hunt and it worked perfectly. Temps got down into the low 40s and I was still plenty warm sleeping in just a t shirt.